Kevin McCabe

Kevin McCabe was born in Hibbing, Minnesota. As of 2020, he lived in Big Lake, Alaska. McCabe graduated from Hibbing High School. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1976 to 1996 and reached the rank of chief petty officer. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle University in 1994 and an M.B.A. from Regis University in 2005.[1][2][3]

McCabe's career experience includes working as a flight captain with Atlas Air, a pilot and director of operation with Air Madura, chief pilot with Alaska Air Taxi, a pilot with Air Wisconsin and Southern Air Transport, with Clusiau's Oldsmobile, and with Island Air Service. He has volunteered as a firefighter with the city of Kodiak, Alaska, and has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1][2][4]

Chief Petty Officers Association

American Legion

IBT Local 2750 Atlas Pilots

Alaska Family Council

Lions Club

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

National Rifle Association

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My wife Linn and I live in the Big Lake community here in the Valley. I’m retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and I’ve lived in Alaska for most of the past 45 years. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree and an MBA and am retired from a major international air cargo airline where I used to Captain 747s. Linn and I are blessed with adult children as well as many grandkids. I’m proud to be an American and an Alaskan. Public and community service are very important to me and should be the hallmarks of any good legislator.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I believe that infrastructure and transportation are key to developing Alaska's resources. We are constitutionally required to develop all of those resources for the benefit of all Alaskans. Right now we are too dependent on the Federal Government for money and revenue. We should be able to make decisions for Alaska and our resources and lands without influence from outside forces including the Federal Government.I am fundamentally a resource-economy Republican. My through-line across every topic is that Alaska’s wealth, its oil, gas, land, and Permanent Fund, belongs to ordinary Alaskans, and that government’s job is to constitutionally develop and protect those assets on behalf of the people, not bureaucrats, outside interest groups, or political coalitions. I am conservative but willing to go my own way when the party is wrong about what’s good for Alaska or when my constituents demand. I work for Alaskans, not outside interests.We must have honest conversations between Alaskans about the issues affecting Alaskans. We should not allow huge outside influences to impact our decisions on how to best manage and develop our state and our resrources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I stand for…

Life at Conception

A Statutory PFD

The Second Amendment

A Balanced Budget

Developing AK Resources

Limited Government

Medical Freedom

Election Integrity

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jim Jordan, Nick Begich,

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and Integrity as well as the knowledge that public officials work for their voters.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Follow the constitution.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave the state in a better place financially by responsbily developing our resources the way the constitution requires them to be developed.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Car Lot attendent 4 years

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I struggle to find common ground with others. I have had to learn that I am not always right. Ego.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Cooperation and understanding of each others goals for the state of Alaska

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Responsbily developing our resources without outside influence.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

YES! 100% - compromise is not a bad word.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Death of Marin Luther King

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased May 5, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My wife Linn and I live in the Big Lake community. I’m retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and I’ve lived in Alaska for most of the past 43 years. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree and an MBA, and currently serve the people of District 30 in the State House. I am also recently retired from Atlas Air where I flew Boeing 747s worldwide. Linn and I are blessed with adult children as well as many grandkids. I’m proud to be an American and an Alaskan. Public and community service are very important to me and should be the hallmarks of any good legislator. I hope I have demonstrated that to you in my last two years as your representative in District 30 as well as my two year tenure in District 8.

Beyond my own personal interest in improving our state’s government and policy-making practices, I decided to continue to serve because of the ongoing issues in our state. We have significant budgetary and resource development issues as well as energy and power transmission problems. I believe I have the grit, determination, and wherewithal to help steer our state budget back into fiscal restraint, put limits on our growing government, and find new solutions for our energy crisis.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole. As an Alaskan, I believe in limited government. The government is not there to provide everything for everyone. The State government, of the people and by the people, was created to ensure safety, welfare, tranquility and to aid prosperity of Alaskans. Our constitution says that “…all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry…”

The constitution also requires that we develop our resources fo the citizens of Alaska and for maximum sustainable yield. I intend to do that.One barrier to Alaska’s statehood was that we did not have a large population to contribute much to the United States. What we did have was an abundance of diverse resources. From timber and gold, to zinc and oil, Alaska had a lot to offer. Since achieving statehood, however, it seems that all we have focused on is oil. Flying over the Spruce Bark Beetle Kill trees in South Central Alaska made me realize how a resource not harvested, such as the spruce trees, is not only a waste of money but can be a danger to Alaska. We need responsible and safe development of ALL our resources. As a representative I will work to find avenues to safely and responsibly develop our local resources to help Alaska become the State it was meant to be.We need less pandering politicians and more citizen-legislators who recognize the need to lift restrictions on people and businesses with plans and ideas to monetize our resources or construct projects that move Alaska forward. This includes diverse resource projects such as timber and mining as well as the transportation required to support such projects.

There are a number of projects on the horizon that have been discussed for years. Many of these have been shelved due to out-of-State activists and congressmen who think Alaska belongs to them. We are so much more than just a national park for activists.

It is long past time to take our state back and to open Alaska to business for Alaskans. It is more important now, than ever, to pu

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Resource development must be part of any legislative discussion; this includes not only the resources, but the transportation involved as well as the work force needed. Developing a workforce must also include better education of our next generation of employees. Our educational outcomes in Alaska are dismal. We must focus on the students and their education. For too long we have focused on the business of education and not the ACT of education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I loved Ronald Reagan tops my lis; I would love to be the orator he was. I like Jim Jordan and I also admire Rand Paul. I think Franklin Graham is also someone worth considering as an example (as was his father, Billy).

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

So many.

JIm Jordan - "Do What You Said You Would Do."

Adam Fergusson "When Money Dies."

Eric Metaxes "If You Can Keep It - the forgotten promise of American Liberty."

Bill Frezza "New Zealand’s Far-Reaching Reforms A Case Study on How to Save Democracy from Itself.”

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Honesty, and the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with constituents. A state legislator must know where to go to find the information needed to do his or her job, and must maintain relationships with all state department heads as well as fellow legislators.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have an inciteful mind. I try to look at the layers that make up and issue, separate them (like peeling and onion) and resolve each issue on its own. I enjoy the verbal battle that makes up a debate and negotiation.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility is to do what you said you would do. We live in a representiative republic. Part of that is the duty of the elected official to actually do what he or she said they would do when they ran for office. A true democracy does not work. A dictatorship, likewise, does not work. Anarchy does not work. The only thing that works is what our founding fathers determined is the best form of government "if [we] can keep it" - A Republic, with representatives elected from the people to govern by the people, and for the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would love to leave the build up of Port MacKenzie and the completion of the Point MacKenzie Rail Spur as my legacy. It would be fabulous if the use and/or export of Alaska CLEAN COAL were also part of what I was known to support.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Martin Luther King assasination. At home watching black and white TV. I ran into the kitchen and told my mom - "mom, someone just shot a King."

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Gas Station attendent and general car lot attendent and cleaner.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Unintend Consequences" by John Ross. It describes what could happen in America if the people were ignored.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Han Solo

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Burin' Bridges by Mike Curb and the Congregation.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have struggled with my temper and my inability to give grace and forgiveness to other people. The things I need most of all are the hardest for me to bestow on others.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

There must always be tension between the governor and the legislature. Our three branches of government were set up this way - to provide checks and balances. The real issue is a judiciary that has become to powerful. Our founding fathers in both the state and the country, envisioned the judiciary as the weakest branch. In fact, they worried what would happen if he judiciary became to powerful. We are watching that happen right now.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Developing the resources and resource infrastructure that we well need to support our ever increasing and unsustainable budget. Power needs of Alaskans.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course. You cannot get any bill or amendment passed without a majority voting for it. And, as rapidly as things often move, the motivation for a bill and the description of what it does will be based on trust and communication from the legislator who authored the bill or amendment. Trust is based on relationship.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I have studied many different legislators and congressmen. If I had to pick just one, it would be Jay Hammond. But I suspect a lot of Alaskan legislators would say the same thing.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Tell us your favorite joke.

A woman in a hot-air balloon is lost, so she shouts to a man below, "Excuse me. I promised a friend I would meet him, but I don't know where I am."

"You're at 31 degrees, 14.57 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude," he replies.

"You must be a Democrat." says the woman.

"I am. How did you know?" replies the man below.

"Because everything you told me is technically correct, but the information is useless, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've been no help."

"You must be a Republican."

"Yes. How did you know?"

"You've risen to where you are due to a lot of hot air, you made a promise you couldn't keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

I cannot imageine a body as diverse and wildly disbursed as the legislature overseeing emergency powers. Our governor should be able to act with speed and aclarity to emergent situations, and the Legislature should have the ability to retract or remove those powers after a time - and with reasonable guidelines.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Gold and Silver as legal Tender.

Definition of life.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

NRA, Alaska Family Council.

What committees interest you?

Transportation.

Resources.

State Affairs.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

By the people and for the people means little if the people are not informed. We must always be transparent as well as accountable.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I would like to see the initiative be more structured and less open to manipulation by outside interests

Kevin McCabe did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kevin and his wife Linn live in the Big Lake community of the MatSu Valley in Alaska. Kevin is a retired USCG Chief and has lived in Alaska for most of the past 40 years. He has worked for several different Air Taxi businesses in Kodiak and Anchorage, flying throughout Alaska. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science Degree and an MBA and currently flies Boeing 747s for a major international air cargo airline. He and Linn are blessed with adult children as well as many grandkids.

"I'm proud to be an American and an Alaskan. Public and community service are very important to me and should be the hallmarks of any good legislator. I am a conservative Republican who believes in balanced budgets, smaller government, life at conception, the people's right to bear arms, and the people's right to vote on their PFD.

I believe that a legislator works for his constituents and they have a right to hear from him; and he has a duty to respond when a constituent emails or calls. A legislator has a duty to keep his constituents informed and to solicit their input frequently."

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Balanced Budgets. We must learn to live within our Means.Smaller Government. The Government is not the answer to every problem. We are Americans and Alaskans - we do quite well with less government.Legislative Responsibility. Legislators must be able to communicate with their consitituents.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe the government has no right in our bedrooms, our reproductive decisions, or in our businesses. I believe in life at conception. I believe that the peoples rights are not granted by the government but are theirs by birthright. I believe that the constitution is in place to limit the governments ability to take those rights away. This includes the second amendment. I believe that more government is NOT the cure for our problems. I believe a binding caucus is used by those with zero leadership or debate skills. I cannot endorse the belief that binding my vote (really my constituents vote) before I (we) get a chance to look at what we are voting on is ethical. I believe that threatening a legislator with removal of staff or offices if he or she does not vote a certain way is criminal.

But mostly I believe that YOUR beliefs are most important. The votes and constituents whom I will work for are of paramount importance. And I would love to talk to you or to hear what you believe - how you think I should vote. Too often our legislators seem to forget that they work for the people. us. I assure I will never forget that.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I would like to follow Representative Dan Crenshaw's example of ethical governance. I like RepresentativeJim Jordan and Trey Gowdy as well. I like the writings and speeches of Condoleezza Rice, Nikki Haley, Colin Powell, and Ronald Reagan. I believe all of these people to be ethical public servants and I would strive to follow their examples in debates, leadership, and service to their constituents. They all seem to be servant leaders which is where the heart of any politician should be. It is not about them. It is about America, the Constitution, and the people they serve.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleaon Skouson

The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek

The Red and The Blue by Steve Kornacki

Ship of Fools by Tucker Carlson

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

The Right Side of History by Ben Shapiro

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Say what you believe and will do, and do what you say you will do. A legislator cannot say one thing to get elected and then, once in office, do exactly the opposite.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am honest, transparent and willing to engage in my job. I will show up for work and do what my constituents ask of me. I am willing to listen and work with anyone. I can, and will communicate in any venue with anyone to better serve my constituents, my state, and my country.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Follow their oath:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska, and that I will faithfully discharge my duties as [State Representative] to the best of my ability."

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a state with a healthy balance sheet and a balances budget. One that fits spending inside of revenue.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was a member of the USCG Honor Guard in boot camp and was invited to attend the Inauguration of Jimmy Carter in Washington DC. I had just turned 19. It was exciting to see the pomp and circumstance and pageantry of the US change in power on full display.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at 12 years old. I worked for my dad at his car dealership in Northern Minnesota. I gassed cars, cleaned cars, swept the shop floor and showroom floor and shoveled and plowed snow. I had that job for six years until I joined the Coast Guard right after High School.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Besides the Bible for obvious reasons my favorite book is An obscure book called "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. It describes an America that I do not ever want to see and the actions of a few patriots to reclaim our Constitution.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

John Mclane (played by Bruce Willis in Die Hard) because the guy never quits. Ever!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Burning Bridges by the Mike Curb Congregation.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I often times am so passionate about a subject that I let my emotions drive my voice which can be intimidating to some. I have to force myself to stop talking and to listen to others.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

Alaska's legislature is the smallest bi-cameral legislature in the country. It is made up of people who have other jobs eg. an Alaskan legislator is not a full time politician. This practice allows the legislator to closer to the people he represents and Reinforced by the Alaska constitution which says "All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole." Alaska has a Senate and a House. The Alaska legislature loosely follows the US Congress and the Alaska House (the lower chamber) is supposed to be the "People's House" with each member representing a smaller group of constituents. The most important difference would be the Representatives ability to be more closely connected with constituents.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can absolutely be more beneficial. But politics comes in many forms, from the politics of business to internal union politics. The fresh ideas that a newcomer to the legislature should not be discounted. Thomas Jefferson said; "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." While Jefferson was talking about revolution, Americans peacefully exercise that process at the ballot box when we remove legislators and politicians who have become entrenched in their jobs and replace them with fresh blood; fresh ideas; and new thought processes. We should not discount a newcomer because he has no voting record.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Our challenge is 100 percent going to be how we pay for the commitments that previous legislatures have tied us to. We have huge financial problems exacerbated by the drop in oil prices and the previous spending of our savings account. There is nothing more important than avoiding the fiscal cliff that the legislatures, legislators, and Governors of the previous 15 years driven us to. We MUST save our state. We must get spending under control and we must find ways to develop and monetize our huge resources.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I believe there should be respectful tension between the executive branch and the legislative branch. Rubber stamping a poor decision by the governor is wrong. But resisting a good decision or bill, just because it comes from the executive branch is just as wrong.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

There is nothing more important that building good relationships with other legislators. The House and the Senate cannot operate with 20 or 40 wildly different ideas and opinions without the relational ability to compromise and build a consensus. The adage that politics makes strange bedfellows applies here. An effective legislator must have the ability to see the other persons (constituent or legislator) point of view. He or she must also allow themselves to be open minded enough to be convinced without abandoning their principles and the mandates of their constituents.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Rules, Judiciary, Transportation, Veterans affairs. Budget.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes - any role that I can be of service.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There are several who have my respect for various reasons. US legislators include Crenshaw, Gowdy, Jordan. Alaska Legislators include Shower, Hughes, Eastman, and Reinbold.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I am interested in serving where I can do the most good.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The current Corona-Virus crisis has provided a lot of stories to answer this question. One story involves the shutting down of the Denali National Park to landings - even landings of planes for concession holding businesses and leasehold owners. It was never clear why the National Park Service felt it necessary to shut down wide swaths of the Park unless it was to demonstrate their ability to do so. The bureaucrats penchant for leveraging the SARS-CoV-2 virus crisis to exercise control, no matter how ridiculous, has caused numerous Alaskans to lose their business. In my opinion it is criminal.